Pros and Cons of Genuine Leather Bags: What You Should Know Before Buying
Are genuine leather bags really recommended?
To get straight to the point,
"Genuine leather bags are recommended for those who want a bag that can be used for a long time."
However,
genuine leather is not the best for everyone.
For example,
"I want a bag that's as light as possible"
"I want to use it without worrying about rain"
"I want to buy it as cheaply as possible"
If these are your priorities, nylon or synthetic leather might be a better fit.
On the other hand,
"I want to enjoy the material itself"
"I want to use it for a long time"
"I want a bag that changes as I use it"
"I want to choose something that isn't influenced by trends"
For these people, genuine leather is suitable.
The important thing is,
not just to look at the benefits of genuine leather, but to understand its drawbacks before choosing.
Advantages of genuine leather bags
First, let's look at the unique charms of genuine leather.
① The texture unique to genuine leather
The charm of genuine leather is its texture, which is evident the moment you touch it.
The surface expression.
The feel.
The softness.
The unique character of leather.
Even with the same design, a change in material can drastically alter the impression of a bag.
Especially with simple bags, because there is less ornamentation,
the beauty of the leather itself
stands out.
② Changes its appearance the more you use it
A major appeal of genuine leather is
its aging process.
The new condition is not its final form.
As you use it,
- the color changes
- it develops a sheen
- the leather becomes more supple
- it softens
- the signs of use become part of its character
and it gradually changes.
Even the same bag,
will have a different appearance depending on who uses it.
This is what makes genuine leather so interesting.
③ The longer you use it, the more attached you become
A genuine leather bag is
"not at its peak the moment you buy it."
You use it daily.
You carry it around.
You touch it.
It gets a few scratches.
The leather becomes supple.
These moments accumulate.
That's why it becomes
"your own unique bag."
This is one of the biggest reasons to choose genuine leather.
④ Pairs well with simple designs
Genuine leather is
a material that pairs extremely well with minimalist designs.
Even without large logos or flashy decorations,
the texture of the leather itself creates presence.
Therefore,
T-shirts.
Shirts.
Jackets.
Coats.
Casual.
Dressy.
It's easy to match with various outfits.
Especially for those
looking for a bag to use for a long time into their 30s, 40s, and 50s,
a simple genuine leather bag is suitable.
⑤ Less susceptible to trends
Bags that solely follow trends
can become difficult to use after a few years.
On the other hand,
a simple genuine leather bag is relatively easy to coordinate
even if trends change.
Therefore,
you can choose it not just for "what you want now" but also with the perspective of "what you want to use in a few years."
⑥ Makes a special gift
Genuine leather bags are also suitable as gifts.
Because,
memories are preserved as it is used.
Birthdays.
Anniversaries.
Father's Day.
Mother's Day.
Employment celebrations.
Retirement celebrations.
A bag given at an important moment will be used for many years.
It becomes more than just a bag;
it becomes a gift that accumulates time together.
Disadvantages of genuine leather bags
From here, I'll also introduce the disadvantages.
There's no need to hide the inconvenient aspects just to recommend genuine leather bags.
Rather,
understanding the disadvantages before choosing
is important to avoid regret.
① Water and rain require caution
Depending on the material, genuine leather can be affected by moisture.
If left wet, it can lead to
- stains
- color unevenness
- watermarks
- loss of shape
etc.
However,
"genuine leather = absolutely unusable on rainy days"
is not true.
Ease of handling varies depending on the type and finish of the leather.
The important thing is to
know how to care for the specific leather you are using.
If it gets wet in the rain, take appropriate action as soon as possible.
For detailed care instructions, click here.
▶ How to care for genuine leather bags | Easy care for beginners
② May get scratched
Genuine leather can get scratched with use.
This is a fact.
However, how one views this varies from person to person.
If you "want to keep it in new condition forever," you might be concerned.
On the other hand,
"enjoying scratches as proof of use"
is part of the charm of genuine leather for some.
At NO SIGN, we value craftsmanship that embraces even leather scratches as part of the material's individuality.
Rather than completely eliminating scratches,
we make the time it's been used part of the bag's character.
That's also a way to interact with genuine leather.
③ Requires maintenance
Genuine leather bags require a certain amount of maintenance.
However,
you don't have to apply cream every week.
Basically,
- wipe off dirt promptly
- dry properly if it gets wet
- avoid direct sunlight
- avoid high temperatures and humidity
- care for it as needed
This simple approach is sufficient.
There's no need to be overly concerned that "leather products are difficult to care for."
▶ See how to care for genuine leather bags
④ Can be more expensive than synthetic leather or nylon
Genuine leather bags
can be more expensive than synthetic leather,
nylon,
polyester,
and so on.
Not only the cost of the material itself, but also the manufacturing process, tailoring, and artisan craftsmanship influence the price.
Therefore,
if you "just want the cheapest bag possible,"
genuine leather may not be the optimal choice.
However,
if you "want to choose with the premise of long-term use,"
it's recommended to consider not just the price, but also
the value after 1, 3, or 5 years of use.
⑤ May feel heavy depending on the bag
There's an image that "genuine leather bags are heavy."
While this is partly true,
genuine leather = always heavy
is not the case.
The weight of a bag depends on factors such as:
- leather thickness
- bag size
- lining
- hardware
- pockets
- construction
That's why
it's important to choose not just based on weight, but also considering size and ease of use.
For more details, click here.
▶ Are genuine leather bags heavy? How to choose a lightweight leather bag
Reasons to still choose a genuine leather bag
After reading this far,
you might think, "There are quite a few disadvantages, aren't there?"
That's right.
Genuine leather is
not a material you can use without thinking.
But,
that's exactly why it's so appealing.
You use it.
It becomes familiar.
It changes.
It gets scratched.
You use it again.
And then,
it develops its own unique character.
A genuine leather bag can be said to be
not something to maintain in its new condition, but something to nurture as you use it.
Genuine leather bag vs. synthetic leather, which to choose?
Many people get lost here.
Simply put,
| Genuine Leather | Synthetic Leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | ◎ | ○ |
| Aging | ◎ | △ |
| Ease of Handling | △〜○ | ◎ |
| Price | Higher | Relatively Cheaper |
| Water Resistance | Depends on material | Relatively easy to handle |
| Joy of long-term nurturing | ◎ | △ |
| Lightness | Depends on material/structure | ○ |
| Enjoying the material | ◎ | ○ |
It's not about which is superior.
What do you prioritize?
That is the criterion for selection.
Who are genuine leather bags recommended for?
Genuine leather bags are recommended for people like this:
✔ Want to use it for a long time
✔ Want to enjoy the texture of the material
✔ Like how things age
✔ Like simple bags
✔ Don't want to be influenced by trends
✔ Want to cherish one item
✔ Want something that grows on them the more they use it
Who are genuine leather bags not recommended for?
Conversely,
✔ If you want the cheapest bag possible
✔ If you want to use it on rainy days without any worries
✔ If you absolutely don't want any scratches
✔ If you completely want to avoid maintenance
✔ If you want to replace your bag every few years
If these apply to you, you might want to consider other materials like synthetic leather or nylon.
There's no need to force yourself to choose genuine leather here.
Choose the material that suits your usage.
That's the most important thing.
How to choose a genuine leather bag you won't regret
So, if you've decided on genuine leather, what should you look for?
① What will you put in it?
First, your belongings.
Wallet.
Smartphone.
Pouch.
PC.
Documents.
Sunglasses.
Consider what you need.
② Where will you use it?
For work?
For holidays?
For travel?
For walking around town?
The optimal bag changes depending on the purpose.
Work
→ Leather Tote
Holidays
→ Bucket Bag
Light outings
→ Crossbody
Organizing small items
→ Camera Bag
Lots of luggage
→ Backpack
NO SIGN also offers a variety of leather bags to suit different uses.
③ How many years do you want to use it?
This is extremely important.
"Do I want to use it just this year?"
or
"Do I want to use it 5 years from now?"
If you want to use it for a long time,
prioritize timelessness over trends.
Prioritize
material and form
over flashiness.
And,
that it suits your lifestyle.
Let's prioritize these.
④ Can you "enjoy the scratches"?
If you choose genuine leather,
don't just expect it to remain in new condition.
Small scratches.
Wrinkles.
Color changes.
Sheen.
Can you enjoy all of these as
proof of your use?
This is a major point in determining your compatibility with genuine leather.
⑤ Look at the brand's philosophy
Finally,
"What kind of brand is it?"
Please check this as well.
What kind of leather is used?
Where is it made?
What is the design philosophy?
What do they value?
The value of a brand lies in what cannot be seen from the price alone.
NO SIGN's philosophy on genuine leather bags
NO SIGN is
a Japanese leather brand that values craftsmanship using Miyazaki Wagyu leather and Japanese artisans.
The brand values the concept of
"only what's necessary, beautifully."
Rather than excessive decoration,
leather,
form,
and usability.
We value this balance.
And, instead of hiding the scratches and aging of genuine leather as "flaws,"
we approach them as
expressions that only the user can create.
How does NO SIGN view the "disadvantages of genuine leather"?
For example,
Gets scratched
↓
Enjoy the scratches as part of the leather's character.
Ages and changes
↓
It's precisely because it changes that it's worth using for a long time.
Trends change
↓
Minimalist design makes it easy to use for a long time.
Hard-to-use bags
↓
Consider sufficient storage and size.
In other words,
rather than eliminating the disadvantages of genuine leather, we create bags that allow you to enjoy those disadvantages as well.
That's NO SIGN's philosophy.
A genuine leather bag is not a "buy and done" item.
The charm of a genuine leather bag
doesn't end the moment you buy it.
Rather,
that's where it begins.
Day 1.
One month later.
One year later.
Three years later.
Even the same bag gradually changes its expression.
For those who can enjoy that change,
a genuine leather bag is not just a bag.
It becomes
a tool for leaving behind your own time.
NO SIGN is recommended for these people
- Looking for a Japanese-made leather bag
- Likes simple bags
- Dislikes large logos
- Likes designs that can be used by both men and women
- Wants to use genuine leather everyday
- Wants to enjoy the aging process
- Looking for a bag that can be used for a long time
- Attracted by Miyazaki/Japanese materials and craftsmanship
If this sounds like you, please take a look at NO SIGN's leather bags.
Summary | Choose a genuine leather bag by "understanding its disadvantages"
Genuine leather bags offer
texture.
aging.
durability.
the joy of long-term use.
These are its charms.
On the other hand, there are also considerations such as
rain.
scratches.
maintenance.
price.
weight.
That's why,
instead of thinking "it's good because it's genuine leather,"
please consider
whether genuine leather suits your usage.
If you think,
"I want to use it for a long time"
"I want to enjoy the material"
"I want a bag that I'll love more the more I use it"
then a genuine leather bag will surely be a good choice.
And,
enjoying not just its new condition, but also the time it will change from now on.
That is the greatest charm of choosing a genuine leather bag.
NO SIGN — Choose freely.
It all starts with a single piece of leather.
A material encountered only in this place.
Entrusting the choice.
Choosing as one feels.
No set gender, no set age.
To anyone who simply feels it is "good."
Miyazaki Wagyu leather and the skill of Japanese artisans.
Nurtured by nature, finished by artisans.
NO SIGN — Anytime. Anywhere.
Choose a genuine leather bag
▶ NO SIGN Official Online Shop
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